At a glance
I covered Metro Manila and Palawan (El Nido). Turkish citizens can enter visa-free for up to 30 days; the only requirement is filling in the online eTravel form before the flight and showing the QR code. Passport control barely looks at you. First impression: Manila is one of the most crowded cities on Earth — jeepneys, heavy exhaust, power cables blotting out the sky and a filthy Pasig River.
Skyscrapers and luxury districts on one side, slum barangays (dangerous areas like Tondo) right opposite. People are warm and helpful; ask for directions and they will hop off a minibus to show you. El Nido is completely different: clear water, islands, beaches. But June–December is the rainy season — come at the wrong time and tours get cancelled. Prices are generally low: SIM ~$6, jeepney $0.20–0.65, beef + rice ~$1.3.
Route
From Manila to El Nido, a summary of the videos.
eTravel, visa-free
Fill in the eTravel form before the flight (name, passport, phone, nationality). Show the QR code and the officer stamps your passport without really looking at you. Turkish citizens pay no visa fee for up to 30 days (unlike Cambodia $35 or Laos $45). Foreign-card ATM withdrawals can carry a ~$4 (≈₱260) fee per transaction, so withdraw a lot at once. The airport has hot and cold water dispensers; carrying a cup for coffee pays off.
Crowds, jeepneys, contrast
Jeepneys (old minibuses) cost ₱13–40 ($0.20–0.65). The “most crowded city” feeling is real: a man got off the minibus to show me the way. The streets recall Jakarta. Skyscrapers on one side, slums right opposite; double bars on shopfronts and theft warnings. The Pasig River is full of rubbish and weeds. Air quality is poor — a 15-minute walk clogs your throat. Even locals call barangays like Tondo “dangerous”; there are almost no tourists.
Cheap plates, plenty of choice
Beef and rice ~₱80 (~$1.3). Santol fruit (sour outside, sweet inside) ₱20 (~$0.3). Coconut-pineapple juice ₱10 (~$0.15). Supermarkets are cheap for oil, pasta, eggs, chicken and beer. Tech (Xiaomi, DJI) and outdoor gear (a tent ~$4) are inexpensive too. Hotel beds are small and pianos are common.
Manila → Palawan
The sleeper ferry from Manila to Palawan takes two days (bunks, water on board ~$1). The ship can roll; there is a 4-hour stop in Coron. Sailings change; the easiest way is a Manila → Puerto Princesa flight (return ~$40–95) plus a van to El Nido (~$10–13, 5–6 hours). There has been no direct Manila–El Nido flight since March 2026.
Turquoise water, islands, tours
Hotel 5 minutes from the pier. Clear water, visible fish. Butterfly Valley, beaches, tricycles (seats 3) cost ~$1–2.5. Tours A/B/C/D cost ~$22–29 (₱1,400–1,800); Tour C is the priciest. There is also a one-time ~$6.5 (₱400) eco fee valid for 10 days. I waited 3 days for rain to stop and finally joined a tour. A local girl taught me to swim. June–December is rainy — for sunny days choose winter/spring.
Transport and accommodation
Prices are approximate US dollars; $1 ≈ ₱62 (October 2026).
🚌 Transport and entry
| Jeepney / bus | $0.20–0.65 |
| Tricycle (in town) | ~$1–2.5 |
| Manila → Palawan ferry | ~2 days (sleeper) |
| Manila → Puerto Princesa flight (return) | ~$40–95 |
| Puerto Princesa → El Nido van | ~$10–13 |
| El Nido Tours A/B/C/D | ~$22–29 |
| El Nido eco fee (10 days) | ~$6.5 |
| El Nido → Manila (aircon) | ~$42 |
| SIM 30 GB / month | ~$6 |
🛏️ Stay and food
| Hostel bed, cheapest | $4–6 |
| Meal | $2–3 |
Hotels often have a piano and beds tend to be small. In the rainy season keep stay and tour plans flexible. Verify official fees before you go.
What to see
Highlights from Manila to El Nido.
Metro Manila
One of the densest cities in the world. Jeepneys, crowds, skyscrapers next to slums.
Barangays & Tondo
The neighbourhood system. Be careful in dangerous areas; hardly any tourists.
Pasig River
Dirty, full of rubbish and weeds. A clear picture of the city’s contrast.
Old church / Intramuros
Basalt-stone structure from 1629. Historic fabric.
El Nido
Turquoise sea, islands, beaches. Island-hopping tours.
Butterfly Valley
A nature spot reachable on foot.
Coron stop
A 4-hour ferry stop; good for a quick look.
Tricycle
A 3-seat taxi on the island. The basis of local transport.
Frequently asked questions
Can Turkish citizens visit the Philippines without a visa?
Yes, up to 30 days visa-free for tourism. You must complete the online eTravel form before your flight and show the QR code; airlines can refuse boarding if it is missing. Verify the rules with an official source before you travel.
How much are El Nido tours?
Island tours A, B, C and D cost about $22–29 (₱1,400–1,800); Tour C is the priciest. On top there is a ~$6.5 eco fee.
How do you get to El Nido?
The easiest way is a Manila → Puerto Princesa flight, then a 5–6 hour van (~$10–13). There has been no direct Manila–El Nido flight since March 2026; flights from Clark or Cebu to Lio airport also exist.
When is the best time to go to the Philippines?
From the video experience, June–December is the rainy season and tours can be cancelled. For sunny days choose winter/spring.
Is Manila dangerous?
Central and tourist areas are generally fine, but even locals warn about slum areas like Tondo. Don’t wander alone at night and keep valuables discreet. Air quality can also be poor.
Is the Philippines cheap?
Yes; food, jeepneys and SIM cards are very cheap. Beef + rice ~$1.3, jeepney $0.20–0.65, 30 GB SIM ~$6.
How do I get a SIM card in the Philippines?
Buy at the airport or supermarkets; registration with ID is required. 30 GB for a month is about $6 (₱399).
Photos
Videos
6 videos from the Philippines trip (in Turkish). Click a card to play it here.
1. What kind of country is this?
The world’s most crowded city, eTravel entry, SIM and jeepneys.
▶ Open on YouTube4. Misery on one side, luxury on the other
Rich districts, Tondo, the old church and the ferry trip.
▶ Open on YouTube5. Palawan & El Nido
The most beautiful island, a swimming lesson, butterfly valley.
▶ Open on YouTubeGood to know
Practical notes from the videos.
Fill in eTravel
Complete the online form before the flight and show the QR code. Turkish citizens: visa-free up to 30 days.
Avoid the rainy season
June–December is rainy. Tours and beach time can suffer. Winter/spring is safer.
Jeepneys and tricycles
Jeepneys in Manila, tricycles in El Nido are the basic transport. Very cheap.
Dangerous areas
Even locals warn about Tondo and some barangays. Don’t walk alone at night.
Poor air quality
Exhaust is heavy in Manila. Your throat and breathing can suffer; consider a mask.
El Nido tours
A/B/C/D packages, ~$22–29. Wait for a sunny day.
Cheap SIM
30 GB / month ~$6. Buy at the airport or supermarkets; ID is required.
Very cheap food
Beef + rice ~$1.3. Juices and street food are cheap too.
Chaos, contrast, turquoise
Manila surprises with its density and pollution; El Nido makes the tropical dream real. People are warm, prices low, entry easy. But the rainy season and dangerous areas can affect your plan.
Come in the right season; accept Manila’s chaos and escape to the islands.
More guides
Philippines travel guide, Philippines visa free, Philippines eTravel, Philippines daily budget, Philippines travel cost, El Nido travel guide, El Nido island hopping prices, El Nido Tour C, Palawan travel, Manila things to do, is Manila safe, jeepney, Philippines SIM card, best time to visit Philippines, Philippines rainy season, is the Philippines cheap, Manila to Palawan, Intramuros, backpacking Philippines, Gez Yoldaş